Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Websites
Certification
Awards
Community Leadership
Timeline
Generic

Karen S. Gipson

Cornelius

Summary

Accomplished nonprofit leader with 20 years of experience in membership growth, retention, and engagement. Expert in strategic planning and leading cross-functional teams to drive impactful outcomes. Skilled in fostering partnerships, inclusivity, and community connections while empowering teams to exceed goals. Passionate about data-driven insights and innovative leadership to ensure sustainable organizational growth and member value.

Overview

18
18
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification

Work History

Executive Director

Girls on The Run International
Charlotte
06.2023 - Current
  • Provide leadership council directors team analyze data to identify community needs and execute a plan for optimal impact.
  • Leading Board of Directors and community leaders to develop the three to five-year strategic plan.
  • Strategically executed program enhancements within budget through project teams of staff and board members which has resulted in over 87% satisfaction and volunteer NPS of 80%.
  • Re-aligned the Board of Directors structure and goals which has resulted in 50% increased engagement and 100% giving.
  • Developed program development plan to scale programming outside of Mecklenburg which has resulted in programming in Catawba, Cleveland, and Lincoln counties.
  • Collaborate with marketing and public relations to effectively communicate the mission of Gils on The Run to outside entities.
  • Develops budgets, managed contributed, earned revenue, and additional mission advancement markers. 15% increase in contributed revenue.

Chief Mission Advancement Officer

Aldersgate Life Plan Services
Charlotte
10.2020 - 04.2023
  • Responsible for the strategic direction and development of the company’s financial development plan, also focusing on community impact strategies while furthering the overall mission of Aldersgate Life Plan Services.
  • Develops actionable strategies for meeting and exceeding those goals through grants, sponsorships, gifts, donations, and fundraising events. Exceeded by 10%.
  • Cultivated and secured 5 new partnerships and 7 new corporate sponsorships within first year.
  • Tracks revenue and fundraising trends used the information to predict future opportunities for expansion efforts and avoid any downtrends in individual, corporate or foundation gifts.
  • Solicits donations from large corporate donors. Secured over 70k in sponsorships in 2021 and 2022.

Corporate Executive Director of Community Partnerships, Corporate Engagement and Volunteerism

YMCA of Greater Charlotte
Charlotte
06.2016 - 04.2020
  • Developed, led, and executed strategic initiatives to exceed long term corporate goals by managing all aspects of community and corporate based partnerships, volunteer engagement, and community initiatives for the Social Responsibility department.
  • Supervised and mentored AmeriCorps volunteers, resulting in 100,000+ hours of service.
  • Worked extensively with the Social Responsibility Advisory Board and served as the Corporate Engagement Committee Chair, resulting in increased corporate giving for social responsibility programming-Y Readers and Level Up.
  • Led the strategic initiative of Volunteer Matters across the Association-developed and scaled the volunteer staffing model which resulted in 15% increase of volunteer engagement.

Regional Executive Director - Greater Piedmont, Foothills and Pisgah Divisions

March of Dimes Foundation
Charlotte
01.2015 - 04.2016
  • Led operations for three March of Dimes Operations, serving 3 counties Mecklenburg, Catawba, and Buncombe, while providing strategic direction to staff, and collaborating with three Boards of Advisors to drive mission-focused initiatives and manage a $12M budget.
  • Championed community impact initiatives in collaboration with the Board of Advisors.
  • Recruited, engaged, and coached board members to enhance governance, diversity, and strategic alignment, while facilitating board meetings, conflict resolution, and leadership training.
  • Exceeded fundraising goals across all three operations through strategic donor engagement, sponsorship acquisition, and event-based revenue streams, while ensuring strong financial oversight and risk management for sustainable growth.

Executive Director-McCrorey YMCA

YMCA of Greater Charlotte
01.2012 - 01.2015
  • Managed 2.5 million operations for 5,000 members, ensuring seamless service delivery.
  • Provide leadership and direction to 25-person Board of Directors.
  • Developed strategies to the strategic branch growth, direction, facility development and budget.
  • Overall management and direction to all Financial Development activities, including annual campaign and the MLK Prayer Breakfast.
  • Implemented initiatives that contributed to financial growth and sustainability.
  • Collaborated with cross-functional teams to optimize programs and maximum.

Associate Executive Director, Harris and Harris Express YMCA

YMCA of Greater Charlotte
09.2009 - 01.2012
  • Managed the day-to-day branch operations with a $14 million dollar budget with a 25,000-membership base.
  • Direct supervision and leadership of membership, health and wellness, marketing, quality, and risk management departments for two facilities.
  • Developed strategies to drive member engagement and retention, enhancing the overall experience.
  • Led branch renovations over $800,000 without an interruption to service.
  • Led Staff Engagement Survey with an increase of 23% participation.
  • Served as staff lead on Membership, programming, and board development committees with and 20% increase in participation.

Executive Director- University City YMCA

YMCA of Greater Charlotte
09.2007 - 09.2009
  • Managed day-to-day branch operations serving 7,000 members membership base.
  • Led a team of 300 staff members, driving strategic initiatives and innovative program and services.
  • Served as the executive Lead in the development of community staff model for three branches.
  • Implemented initiatives that contributed to financial growth in collaboration with the 20-member board of directors.
  • Strengthened community partnerships to foster engagement, growth, and long-term sustainability.

Education

B.S. - Kinesiology and Exercise Physiology with Health Management Minor

University of Illinois at Chicago
Chicago, IL

Skills

  • Leadership
  • Financial Acumen
  • Relationship Development
  • Community Relations
  • Strategic Thinker
  • Operational Expertise
  • Resource Management
  • Community Engagement
  • Culture
  • Change Management

Certification

  • YMCA of USA Organizational Leader Certification
  • Multicultural Executive Development Program, Certification (Executive)
  • Executive Development Institute, Certification (Executive)
  • Executive Management Certificate, Cornell University

Awards

  • Who’s Who of Black Charlotte
  • City of Charlotte MLK Service Award
  • Service Above Self Award-YMCA of Greater Charlotte
  • YMCA of Greater Charlotte Award Staff Development

Community Leadership

  • Charlotte-Mecklenburg, Community Relations Board
  • City of Charlotte MLK Steering Committee Co-Chair
  • Rotary International, Volunteer

Timeline

Executive Director

Girls on The Run International
06.2023 - Current

Chief Mission Advancement Officer

Aldersgate Life Plan Services
10.2020 - 04.2023

Corporate Executive Director of Community Partnerships, Corporate Engagement and Volunteerism

YMCA of Greater Charlotte
06.2016 - 04.2020

Regional Executive Director - Greater Piedmont, Foothills and Pisgah Divisions

March of Dimes Foundation
01.2015 - 04.2016

Executive Director-McCrorey YMCA

YMCA of Greater Charlotte
01.2012 - 01.2015

Associate Executive Director, Harris and Harris Express YMCA

YMCA of Greater Charlotte
09.2009 - 01.2012

Executive Director- University City YMCA

YMCA of Greater Charlotte
09.2007 - 09.2009

B.S. - Kinesiology and Exercise Physiology with Health Management Minor

University of Illinois at Chicago

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Karen S. Gipson